Friday Miscellany: Travel Plans, a Change of Underwear & More
Where the heck did March go??? This entire month really flew by. It was busy one; I had a lot of projects both online and offline. Some I was able to wrap up, and some are ongoing, but at the moment, I have travel on the brain!
Jetting off to…
In just under two weeks, I pack my bags and head to the airport. Where am I going? Here are some visual hints… 😉
And…
not to mention…
It’s been a whole two years since I’ve been to Paris, and can’t wait to get re-acquainted! I’m already assembling my travel wardrobe and will share in a few days.
Underpinnings update
For the last several years, I’ve worn Hanky Panky boyshorts almost exclusively.
They’re comfortable, don’t ride up, and don’t create visible panty lines (I size up to a Medium). If you wash in an lingerie bag on the delicate cycle and line dry, they’ll last for years. (At least, mine have.)
But I’ve noticed that when wearing pants in lighter weight fabrics, the texture of the lace often shows through. It bugs me, so I’ve been looking for an alternative in a smooth fabric with a similar cut and fit.
After trying a few different styles, I’ve finally found one I’m happy with.
It’s the “butter bikini” style from Commando. They feel like nothing on (again, I sized up to Medium), stay in place, no VPL, and are invisible under clothing. Some of the other (well reviewed) styles I tried either had waistbands that were binding, or silicone bits that I found irritating, or dug in enough to create lines. These aren’t “shapewear” so not constricting, and light enough to be comfortable in very warm weather.
Sale time
BLACK Luxury Accessories is having an Easter Event, with 20% off all collections. And they’ve kindly offered my readers an extra 10% off with code FEMME10 ! I love their silk cashmere blend scarves for travel, as they’re light but warm, and available in wide range of colors and prints to perfectly suit your travel wardrobe. I think they’re the perfect weight for spring travel, or just those chillier mornings at home!
More of this weekend’s best sales
Tory Burch – Spring Event, 25% off $200+ order, 30% off $500+ (My friend Karen recently picked up these loafers, and raves about them! More popular styles included in the promotion 👇
J.Crew – Annual Spring Event, 40% off sitewide!
Talbot’s – 40% off one item, 25% off everything else, code RSVP
Nordstrom – Limited Time sale
Ann Taylor – up to 40% off full-price purchase
Bon weekend, and Happy Easter, if you’re celebrating. 🐰 🐥 🪺
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Hello Susan! Oh donEnjoy Paris – i love that city especially all the very unique neighborhoods ( by arrondissement). Check my spelling lol.
It’s been at least 10 years since my last visit there but oh to go back….not sure if it’s going to happen.
It seems like I remember you telling which leopard colorway was for which seasonal palette, but I can’t seem to find that post. Could you please refresh my memory? I’m an Autumn.
Susan,
We’re heading across the Pond in two weeks as well, to visit favorite cities and explore new ones. We’ll be in Rome, Florence and on the Amalfi coast, and then in Dublin for a wedding. We are expecting fairly different weather in each location and I have already started planning outfits to maximize versatility and accommodate for colder and warmer days. I’ll be curious to see what you pack for Paris. Keep us posted!
Happy to read that you’re headed to Paris! I’m headed over in May and so am really looking forward to seeing your new travel wardrobe, and the ‘how it all worked’ report after you return home. I’ve been using your packing lists as my own packing guide for a long time.
As far as underwear is concerned, I’m a Tommy John fan. This post reminded me it’s time for a refresh and happily, they’re running a sale, so you did a good deed for me today – thank you 🙂
I havebriefs like your buttercup ones. They are indeed very comfortable but they shrivel up.
Greetje
I want to buy a Leopard scarf from BLACK on your recommendation. However, I can’t see the difference between the BROWN Leopard and the DAPPLED Leopard. Size, fabric, description, are identical. What is DAPPLED supposed to mean? I knowyou have the brown. How is the DAPPLED different? Thanks
Hi Mara, I think the dappled one has a slightly different background color, less tan, more beige. A little less warm than the brown.
I was looking at the undies but they don’t have any in the high waisted & I don’t like the ones that don’t go to my natural waist, but it was worth a look. I went to the Black website, they have some beautiful scarves, but imagine my surprise when I saw our lovely Susan right there on the home page!! You looked wonderful on there; I’m so glad they had your picture there, you deserve the exposure as you have a fantastic blog that I look forward to everyday. I am also glad to see you are traveling even after Monsieur has gone. I usually traveled with my parents when they were alive & my mother made me promise (I lost her after my father) that I wouldn’t stop traveling & I did. Thank goodness my husband likes to travel as well or we would really have a problem! Thanks again for your blog, it keeps me updated on the latest fashion, makeup & some homestyle for women ‘of a certain age’!
Amsterdam, Denmark, France?
Amsterdam, London, Paris 😉
If you have time for any shopping in Paris (!) you may want to take a look at Chantelle undies, specifically their SoftStretch line. They’re very similar to your Commando ones (love that name!), but less expensive and don’t have a seam up the back. I have several pairs in various colours and they wash and wear really well. They do them in boyshorts, high-waisted and loads of other styles too.
I walked over in the rain to Les Jardin du Luxembourg this morning.
Am staying for a couple of nights at Hotel Andre Latin over this Easter weekend . On Sunday afternoon I board SS Joie de Vivre for a week of sailing down the Seine and back when we will tour St Germain and the Latin Quarter next Saturday. I am so looking forward to seeing Giverny, Honfleur and Juno Beach …all included as excursions with Uniworld. So enjoy Amsterdam ,London and Paris on your next adventure Susan! Say hello to Greetje. I am hoping to see her eventually.
Hi Susan!
Wishing you a wonderful trip. Thanks for sharing the underwear tips. I don’t think a boy short works for my body type (I’ve got a booty), but new underwear sounds like a good investment. For the longest time I have been buying at Target which are nice (and inexpensive).
My family is traveling to Quebec City in summer. They speak French! (I don’t.) I will be thinking of you for sure!
Happy to hear you are heading to Paris, again. It was my late husband’s favorite place in the world. I’m not sure I’ll ever go back. Too many memories.
Re: the Commando panty. If you, petite as you are, have to size up to a medium, which is supposed to fit sizes 8-10, and the panty only comes in small, medium, large, that sizing leaves most women looking elsewhere. The nice thing about your previous pick, the Hanky Panky boyshort, is that it comes in sizes up to 3X.
I’ve been wearing the Ajour “granny panties” for the last 15 years of my life, made by Calida. They’re knit cotton, with fabric covered elastic. I’m a size 20-22 and can easily fit an XL. The panty sizes begin an XXS so petites are covered, too. For women who want a sleeker or more youthful look, Calida makes plenty of other styles. Avoiding VPL has not been a concern since the pandemic since I rarely appear in public and when I do, I generally wear Eileen Fisher’s linen, crepe, or ponte fabrics. I haven’t noticed a problem. Comfort is my first priority and Ajour fits the bill.
I hope you have a wonderful vacation. You certainly have earned it.